ICT Industry has a Major Role to Play in the European Economy of the 21st Century
The Information Communications Technology in short - ICT - industry is a motor for our economies and for our joint prosperity. It accounts for 5 to 6% of total GDP in the EU and continues to grow steadily. It is a major force in driving growth and innovation. The ICT industry has therefore a major role to play in the European economy of the 21st century. An ambitious ICT policy for Europe is central to EU policies for competitiveness, growth and sustainable development. ICT is crucial to the success of the EU Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs, and vice versa.
Our common European Lisbon strategy is giving a boost to our economies by modernising them and investing in the knowledge economy. This strategy is working and shows concrete results. Europe is in better shape than it was just two years ago. But we must now take our strategy a step further, to enhance the Union's competitiveness. This is what the European Commission will propose at the spring European Council in ten days time.
